For over 100 years, Utah has served as a backdrop for Hollywood films and television. From classic Westerns like Stagecoach to more recent favorites such as Forest Gump and the television series Fallout, Utah’s cinematic landscape is unmatched. But the draw to Utah isn’t down to our memorable landscapes alone–it’s in large part due to the talent pool we are building to support these productions on arrival. Here at Spy Hop, we are invested in preparing the next generation of professional storytellers to become part of this thriving economy. 

A camera and other film gear sit on a cracked desert ground, the sun setting behind them.
Utah is an iconic backdrop for Hollywood film and television productions

To achieve this, Spy Hop launched Phase 2 Productions, our full-service, alumni-staffed production company designed to give emerging filmmakers the real-world work experience and personalized mentorship they need to succeed in the film industry. By putting these young filmmakers to work on professional sets alongside seasoned industry professionals, we help them gain the skills, knowledge and connections needed to launch their careers.

Two Phase 2 Fellows stand in front of a camera, pointing at the screen, with lighting gear behind them.
Fellows filming on the set of Orange Soda

Through our newly launched Phase 2 Fellowship program, students receive hands-on training in core film production departments and have the opportunity to earn certifications that qualify them for department head roles on our productions. But we know that success in filmmaking requires so much more than just technical skills, so we also help them navigate topics like personal branding, networking, and even taxes.

In our first fellowship cohort, we took a huge step forward with the production of Orange Soda, a story-driven PSA for the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation. Through our guided mentorship, a Spy Hop student, Marily Heaner, successfully pitched, wrote and directed the project for the foundation. With the largest budget in Phase 2 Productions history, we were able to scale up, hire more crew, and provide the unique opportunity for our fellows to work alongside and be mentored by industry professionals in specialized roles. This shift in scale and approach allowed our students to experience the collaborative, role-specific nature of larger productions, better simulating the expectations and demanding standards of the film industry. 

Phase 2 fellows surround a car with lighting and camera gear at night, under what appears to be a covered parking structure.
Fellows work alongside industry professionals to learn film industry standards

We are grateful to our Spy Hop community and donors for helping us to build a talent pool of filmmakers and skilled technicians who can help sustain this invaluable pillar of our local economy. As we continue to grow, we are committed to creating more opportunities for our students to collaborate in the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of an industry-standard production; chances to gain the experience needed to walk onto any professional set and hit the ground running. Together we can build the path to their professional futures.

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